Oni Press announces new all-ages series from the creator of "Sidescrollers"

Oni Press is proud to announce SALT WATER TAFFY: THE SEASIDE ADVENTURES OF JACK AND BENNY, a new ongoing series of all-ages graphic novels by Matthew Loux.

In the spirit of kid friendly tales like THE GOONIES and BONE, comes a new all-ages romp. Published quarterly, SALT WATER TAFFY follows a pair of boys bound for the unusual hamlet of Chowder Bay--a small town full of big mysteries, giant adventures, and gargantuan lobsters. It's a place where anything can happen, and usually does.

Jack and Benny are two young brothers on vacation in Chowder Bay, Maine for the entire summer. With no television or batteries for his Gameboy, Jack couldn't be more bored. But when Benny, the youngest of the pair, spots a dark, indistinguishable shape creeping toward the ocean, the boys' curiosity has them chasing one of Chowder Bay's oldest legends. What exactly did Benny see? And what does it have to do with the recent rash of taffy thefts plaguing Dr. True's sweet shop? Maybe the Putnam summer home won't be as boring as the brothers feared! With surly old fisherman, sea monsters, warring seagulls, civil war ghosts, giant kleptomaniac eagles and mysteries around every corner--Chowder Bay may not just be the strangest place Jack and Benny have ever been to, it might be one of the strangest on Earth!

advertising

The first book of the series, "The Legend of Old Salty", introduces us to the characters, the town, and one of the great mysteries involving giant lobsters, crustacean labor politics, and Jack and Benny's newfound addiction to Dr. True's salt water taffy!

"Matthew Loux's SALT WATER TAFFY captures the childhood spirit of discovery and imagination in a world where video games and television are the dominant media," explains James Lucas Jones, Oni Press's editor in chief. "And in this world they find that passive entertainment can't hold a candle to the genuine adventure and fun that comes from exploring the mysteries of this enigmatic seaside town."

advertising

"One of the things we are really excited about is the value this series will present to readers," says publisher Joe Nozemack. "Each volume will be 96 pages for only $5.95. That's over four issues worth of content for the price of just two!"

Matthew's previous graphic novel, SIDESCROLLERS, was named one of the prestigious Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens by The Young Adult Library Services Association (a division of the American Library Association). He carries over the same cartooning prowess that he demonstrated in his previous effort to a younger audience.

SALT WATER TAFF: THE SEASIDE ADVENTURES OF JACK & BENNY, Vol. 1 is listed in the current PREVIEWS and will ship to comic book stores May 7th, 2008. It is a 96 page black-and-white graphic novel for $5.95.